If you still need to start up on a strength training program, now would be the time to get going. There are so many benefits to adding strength training to your workout week, and the payoffs will be long-term, so it’s one of the best investments of your time that you can make.
Some women are slightly intimidated by the strength training process. Still, take the time to learn how to do it properly by either hiring a personal trainer or reading up on the principles of this form of exercise. You can gradually ease into it at your own comfortable pace.
Here are the main benefits you’ll see with strength training.
Increased Metabolic Rate
The first benefit you’ll get when you begin strength training is an enhanced metabolic rate.
Your metabolic rate, which is the rate at which you burn off calories throughout the day, is primarily influenced by your current lean muscle mass.
Lean muscle mass is the tissue in the body (apart from the brains and organs) that burns the most significant number of calories just existing; therefore, the leaner body mass you have, the more calories you can eat without gaining body weight.
Moreover, after a challenging resistance training workout, your metabolism will stay elevated for up to 48 hours, making losing or maintaining body weight more manageable.
Stronger Bones and Ligaments
Another huge benefit of regular strength training workouts for women is that they help promote stronger bones and ligaments. As we age, we will be at an increased risk for osteoporosis, so the more we can do to strengthen these tissues, the lower our risk.
Weight-bearing exercise is one of the top ways to strengthen the bones, and weight training provides this benefit without the high-impact nature that running would.
Better Muscle Tone and Definition
Third up on the list of why you should start strength training is because of the increased muscle tone and definition you’ll experience. Cardio exercise is effective at burning calories for the time you’re doing the activity; however, it doesn’t do much to help reshape the body’s muscles.
What often happens to some women is that they will do their cardio training to burn off the fat and lose weight, but after, they are left with a soft look that lacks muscle form.
When weight training is performed in conjunction with cardio training, on the other hand, then you’ll not only lose the fat but get the firm look you are going for.
Lower Level of Stress
Stress is something that almost every one of us encounters regularly – for some, daily. As this stress continues to grow, we increase our risk for several health issues, such as diabetes, stroke, depression, and high blood pressure.
Weight training has been toted by many as one of the most significant stress relief treatments available. It allows you to work out your tension forcefully, draining the stress from the system.
In addition, a heavy strength training workout will help release several ‘feel good’ endorphins in the body, which will also help reduce overall stress levels and enable you to feel much better about your day.
Increased Posture
After sitting at your desk all day at work, there’s a very good chance that you’ve begun to assume a hunched-over posture—one that promotes rounded shoulders and back or neck pain. Good posture is a neuromuscular skill that can be achieved through repetition and practice, such as being mindful of how you position your chair, sit, and stand throughout your day.
By regularly including strength training in your program, you can help increase the strength of the back muscles along the spinal column so they are much better able to remain upright and neutral throughout your eight—or nine-hour workday.
Deviations from the neutral spine position can be temporary or permanent depending on the injury to the back, fatigue, or actual muscle imbalance.
Exercise can help improve spinal conditions, posture, and appearance. As an added plus, women who use proper posture instantly look thinner, so this is something you should work on.
Enhanced Confidence Levels
Finally, many women find that strength training boosts their confidence more than any other form of exercise. It’s empowering to know that you’re increasing your physical strength and becoming more capable of handling everyday tasks on your own.
Some women are starting to grow concerned for their own personal safety as well. Taking various self-defense classes for assurance purposes and strength training will also give you the peace of mind of knowing that you are much more capable of protecting yourself.
So, don’t wait any longer—start your own strength training program today. It’s simply one of the best forms of exercise for women, and while it may seem scary getting started initially, after a week or two, chances are you’ll be hooked for good. Remember, you can start at your own pace and gradually ease into it, so there’s no need to feel intimidated.